477 Moving Forward

(Winona)

Lisa sits curled into the corner of her couch, her legs tucked beneath her and a blanket draped across her lap.

"So, one reading down, one to go," I say, setting two mugs on the coffee table and taking a seat in the armchair across from her. "Are you ready?"

She looks up, blinking like she's coming out of a daze. "Yeah, well... I don't think I can be there. It's still too much."

"Fair." I lean forward, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. "I know it's hard. But it's a start, you know? A start to getting on the other side of all this."

She shrugs.

"I'll be right by your side."

Lisa exhales slowly, tugging the blanket tighter. "It's just... everything. The way it happened. The way he let me in and really loved me for those few days. The way he left. And now this reading, like it's going to somehow tie up all the loose ends. But it won't, will it? Nothing changes that he's gone."

I nod, letting her words hang in the air for a moment. "No, it doesn't change that. But it might give you some clarity. Or at least something to hold onto."

Her laugh is short and bitter. "Clarity. Right. Like hearing whatever Lance decided to leave behind will somehow make it all better."

"Have you watched the USB yet?" I ask gently.

shakes her head quickly. "No. I'm not ready. I don't think I'll

in my seat,

"What could he possibly say that makes any of this okay? He's still gone, Winona. He still made that choice, no matter what's on that stupid video clip." I let out a soft sigh.

not my fault, or that there was nothing I could've done, because I already know that. It doesn't make

you, in his own way.

wish he'd talked to me. Even if it wouldn't have changed anything, I wish I could've had

to do that for him it was you. And you did. He

her and pulling her into a hug. She resists for a moment before leaning into me, her body trembling with quiet

except for the occasional sniffle.

voice shaky. "How are you

"It was... unexpected. Some of it was surprisingly generous. Other parts felt like a

"Oh, you know. Telling me to stay with Jayden only if I really think it's worth it, not to

it get

but that's more

Jayden's been

1.n

said anything about us. About our

to tell if that's

studying me. "Do you want him to say something? Or are you afraid

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